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| Table Mountain looms in the distance... |
The first climb of this route leaves out of Garnlydan up over Llangynidr Commons and into the Brecon Beacons National Park. The views begin immediately with wide vistas across the high mountain moors. As you near the summit, the Black Mountains rise up to your right and the Usk Valley falls open before you. It's a masterpiece.
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| Entering the Brecon Beacons National Park at Llangynidr Commons... |
Note: This particular section of B4560 was first pointed out to me on a map by my good friend Tim John and I will be forever thankful. It is now a staple of my cycling.
Overview
Total Distance: 86.3 miles
Elevation: + 6004 / - 6004 ft
This is a big ride. But it's not the distance that effects you... it's the climbing. In less than ninety miles, this route climbs over 6,000 feet. It's full of stunning scenery from wide mountain vistas to intimate river valleys and quaint Welsh villages. It's a classic.
The first couple of miles up to Llangynidr Commons are a slow slog, but well worth the effort. Traffic is generally very light so that you can stop to look around and just soak in the views because it is absolutely stunning.
Llangynidr Commons is perhaps my most photographed area. It's only 15 miles above our home and the most interesting route to Brecon and areas north.
My wife calls this area "cowboy country" because it reminds her of the American West shown in the movies. It's wide open country and it's breath-taking; I'll give her that, but it's small and cute - nothing on the scale of America. I'll be across this ridge and down the mountain to the village of Llangynidr in just over five miles.
And in those short five miles I will experience scenery I would match against any that I've seen in America. To quote myself about Wales... "there is so much in such a small place - it is astounding."
The road drops quickly and steeply into the village of Llangynidr. I turn right at the junction and head down Cwm Crawnon Road (B4558) along the River Usk for four miles to the incredibly quaint village of Crickhowell for my first stop.
There are an assortment of pubs and cafes, shops of every flavour, and even a castle to wander about. I generally sit on a bench outside the visitor centre to people watch with a coffee and snack for a few minutes.
I need a break because the climb out of Crickhowell to the next valley is a tough one. It starts with a lung-busting half-mile climb at a 20% grade followed by a short flat half mile, then an eye-watering half-mile drop at 25% into Llangenny.
But all of that is worth the effort for the next four miles the route is exquisite. I pass quaint little cottages, stunning gentrified farms, and massive country estates all whilst cycling along a rolling country lane.
The lane snakes and climbs, rolls and weaves as it follows the Grwyne River. At places it can be rather steep, but there's no need to rush. Every climb offers a new reward.
Looking over the hedgerows, the views are magnificent. Sugarloaf Mountain rises proud and massive to my right, while the Genny River snakes silently below at her base.
It's wonderfully quiet. I can hear men casually talking as they hammer on the roof of an old barn, the cows moaning inside. A tractor rumbles in the distance.
A re-modeled school sits precariously at the junction of two roads midway up a desperately steep hill. Why on earth would they build a school here?
Today is perfect. The sky and clouds and landscape all seem to be enjoying each others company. I find myself talking aloud in awe of my good fortune.
And I think to myself that I am a lucky boy indeed. I am compelled to document the day, to record the images I see, to show the world the beauty of Wales.
I've cycled nearly 40 miles now. I'm about half way. I've skirted above the town of Abergavenny to stay in the countryside and I'm slowly making my way toward Clytha and NCN Route 42.
The afternoon is getting late and the shadows long. I've been cycling quite slowly and leisurely. I'm fighting the urge to hurry along home.
I stop to take a few photographs and then I just stand there... looking, taking it in, absorbing the views. There is no one about. No cars, no planes overhead... just me in all this majesty.
I join the National Cycle Network (NCN Route 42) at Clytha. This section is of the route is quite lovely as it climbs up through the exceptionally cute village of Bettws Newydd and then down past sleepy Llancayo. You can often find other cyclists traveling along here for it is quite popular and near to the town of Usk.
There's a pub (The Black Bear, which always makes me think of the mountains of North Carolina...) a B&B, a lovely spring, and not much else other than quaint country homes. It's the perfect place to take a break. I'll pass on through Usk and begin the ride home in earnest after this.
The landscape opens up coming down from Bettws Newydd and the farmland of Cyltha just rolls out in front of me. This is the heart of the Vale of Usk.
I'll not stop in town, instead, I'll continue on trying to make up some time. My route follows the River Usk along the back roads to Caerleon and Newport.
There is much to see and photograph along the way, but I must save that for another day. I'm chasing daylight now.
I'll take one last stop by the Transporter Bridge in Newport. I've cycled 65 miles so far and I've another 20 to get home. It's looking like I'll be riding in the dark soon!
I can't count the number of times I've sat and looked at this big ole spindly thing. It's just a great place to take a break before the final push home. There's something quite serene about watching the tide along the banks of the River Usk that just relaxes me. I sort of pull all my thoughts together and regroup, I guess.
I could sit here all night. Curl up and watch the stars come out.
In conclusion...
This ride is one of my favourites. It combines several smaller sections that I ride frequently into one big classic adventure. I've made this classic loop several times now and I just love it.
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| Ride Name: | Llangynidr & Sugarloaf | ||
| Start Date: | Sat. Aug. 10, 2017 | ||
| Starts in: | Oakdale, Wales, GB | ||
| Departed: | 11:53AM | ||
| Distance: | 86.3 mi / 138.9 km | ||
| Elevation: | + 6004 / - 6004 ft | ||
| Max Grade: | 13.6% | ||
| Duration: | 11:56:09 | ||
| Move Time: | 08:21:51 | ||
| Stop Time: | 03:34:18 | ||
| Max. Speed: | 37.9 mph | ||
| Avg. Speed: | 10.3 mph | ||
| Weather: | sun! | ||
| Temp: | 22°c / 72°f | ||
It's late in the fall and the days are getting too short to make this again till next year. I can't wait! Thanks for taking the time to join me.
Cheers! - cm
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